NCHS Boys Soccer Prepares to Avenge State Title Loss

One of the big stories in New Canaan High School sports last fall was the dramatic late season run by the NCHS boys' soccer team under first-year head coach Victor Sanchez that culminated in a heartbreaking loss in the State Championship game.

After a mediocre start, the 2009 Rams turned on the gas and won their final three regular season games which propelled them ultimately to the championship match in which they fell to Brookfield 3-2.

Now it seems the boys' squad is primed for another solid year.  Sanchez said "I was optimistic last year, and I'm optimistic this year."

However, Sanchez cited a difference this year, "Not knowing the players last year was a little different.  But now knowing what I have and that my returning players are very strong players, I am very excited."

Senior Scott O'Brien, one of the team's co-captains, keyed in on the strengths and challenges for 2010, "We lost a couple of key players, like Nick Hausen, Kevin Campbell, and Oliver Citrin, but this year I think we'll have a strong offense."

Senior Rory Shepard concurred, "We have the entire returning offensive line beside Kevin and Hausen.  Of the six guys up front, we have four of them back and the other two filling in are just as good."

The team will be anchored by senior goalie Scott Levene who will be standing between the pipes.  "He is a great goalie," noted O'Brien.

When asked about the specific strengths, Shepard explained, "we have real good center mids and we have strong forwards.  We are probably going to be a team that plays a lot of through balls, out to the corners, crossing in, and scoring some goals."

It appears the main challenge this year will be in the back.  Sanchez noted, "We basically lost three of our four starting defenders, so now we need to go over our defensive strategies.  Our defenders will need to anticipate and read the game, but this doesn't happen overnight.  It takes a lot of repetition and a lot of drills.  These practices will help me see who is going to step up to the challenge."

Asked what game they most look forward to, Shepard and O'Brien both agreed it would be Darien, "We fell short last year and tied them, so it will be good to get back into that game.  Plus, they're Darien." 

Sanchez added, "I always love the tough games and the games against Staples, Norwalk and Greenwich are the game that we are all looking forward to."

The Rams kick off the 2010 campaign on September 14 at home against Stamford.